Even as he hailed the appointment of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman in an advisory committee constituted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take Indian cricket forward, former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi wants to see their roles clearly defined.

“Their roles should be made public and specific. On paper, it looks a very positive, constructive move. But then, there is many a slip between cup and lip. These three greats should be given proper authority and the accountability factor shouldn’t lag behind. After all, this is an age of professionalism. Committees should not overlap, else you will be neither here nor there. Let’s put it this way, the three shouldn’t be taken for a ride,” Bedi told mid-day from New Delhi yesterday.

Bishan Singh Bedi

“My general apprehension is these guys shouldn’t be involved in anything that they would regret.”

Bedi pointed out that the committee had only batsmen. “All of them are great batsmen, but what about fast bowling, spin bowling and wicketkeeping? There should be some specialists as well,” he said.

What they say...

Erapalli Prasanna, Former spinnerThe idea is good. They have a huge responsibility at hand. I am a keen follower of Indian cricket and what I find is a tremendous shortage of effective spin bowlers in the country. Our team can’t do well if the bowling attack doesn’t have good spinners. I expect the ‘Big Three’ to look into this aspect

Syed Kirmani, Former ’keeperI’m really glad that they have been inducted into the advisory committee. It’s a move in the right direction. No doubt, the BCCI is the best sporting body in the world and they’re looking after their former cricketers like no other association. There’re no two ways about it, but why are the veteran cricketers of my era like Mohinder Amarnath, who have taught and inspired these recently-retired cricketers, forgotten? That’s my only question.

Kiran More, Ex-wicket-keeperIt’s an excellent idea as they have played together and have enough experience. Things are going in the right direction for Indian cricket - PTI